This is how social networks have changed relationships in the family
Many are the tools that have landed in our lives thanks to new technologies. From encyclopedias loaded with information, to portals where you can watch funny videos. The expansion of these platforms has also brought instruments such as social networks to the day to day of the families, spaces where to share moments with acquaintances and to be able to communicate with the same ones.
Of course, the arrival of social networks the family environment has changed the relations between the members of it. Either because young people spend too much time in these virtual spaces, forgetting to share time with their own or because it has generated a space where everyone can share with their known moments they have enjoyed together.
Time in social networks
As they indicate Mary White Angel-Franco Y Yoly Eucladis Alzate-Marín In his study Family and social relations in adolescents who use virtual social networks (RSV), the arrival of social networks led to the appearance of a space to communicate and share information. A tool that has ended up altering the behavior of younger generations, who have grown up with them.
A change that of course has echoed in his family space and in the relations that he maintains with the rest of his relatives. Among the characteristics of this new paradigm in the home is the appearance of conflicts in topics such as communication between the different relatives and the realization of joint activities or the invasion of privacy when visiting the profiles.
Paradoxically, these researchers emphasize that social networks have altered family relationships by allowing a means of communication with distant relatives. But, on the other hand, there is a remoteness of those closest household members. When young people put their attention on the screens, they do not have conversations with the rest of the people around them.
The different images that the different members of the family have about social networks are also noteworthy. While younger members do not believe that these platforms have negative effects, a 24% of the parents who were surveyed in this work do recognize these consequences. Adults consider that their children abuse these tools and do not devote enough time to joint activities, eventually isolating themselves.
On the other hand, social networks have also brought a conflict over respect for privacy. Many parents want to know how their children are using social networks. Therefore, they create profiles to closely monitor this use, something that young people consider an invasion of their intimate space.
Prevention of problems
Many of these problems are related to the abuse of social networks by young people. Knowing how to prevent this addiction is important and adults can help their children for this purpose in the following way, as indicated by the Catholic University of Valencia:
- Limit the use of devices and agree on the hours of use of the computer.
- Encourage the relationship with other people.
- Promote hobbies such as reading, cinema and other cultural activities.
- Stimulate sport and team activities.
- Develop group activities, such as those linked to volunteering.
- Encourage communication and dialogue within the family.
Damián Montero
